Serbian Bureaucracy!

I can say with all certainty that this morning was very productive at the level of learning. Aleksandra and I went to the foreigner's office to try to get a visa for me. What an adventure!
First you need to fill a few roles, then you must pay for these roles and then, finally you can go to the counter to the delivery of those papers and some more documents. The first thing to notice is that there is no order to the call the people. Got to be you to control who came before you and after you. The second thing to remember is that when you are finally called, you are missing 3 copies of a document ... well, we didn´t knew this, but that's okay, let's get the copies! However, while we were being treated, comes a young boy in shorts ... and what our astonishment when the workes told him that they can't receive him when he was dressed that way. Me and Aleksandra were both in shorts! And we were almost half an hour in the room without anyone noticing or saying anything!
But still we get the copies of the documents and something to eat. When we returned, we expected that no one noticed we were in shorts. The truth is that there is a sign of "No shorts" at the entrance ...

And so, we try to be met in the same, but just barely had we seated,  the boy in the office showed us the exit door ... because we were in shorts!
Well, tomorrow we will have to go back but this time with pants ... Welcome to Srbija Miguel!

Miguel Graça, EVS Volunteer

EVS Event at REX Cultural Center

Is already on Sept. 19 that an event will occur on EVS in Belgrade. A group of volunteers decided to gather all the young people who have passion for volunteerism and active participation in society in REX Cultural Center in Belgrade. The event will be based mainly on the exchange of ideas and experiences and knowledge of the volunteers and of their projects, objectives, expectations and results achieved to date. It will be a space of communication, friendship and solidarity.

Will also be a space for information and learning for all those who seek to participate in a volunteer project and seeking information about the EVS. You can obtain information while valid testimonies of volunteers who are currently in the realization of their projects.

In addition will also be presented the film "Paint the White City: The Movie" that aims to demonstrate a little bit about street art, as is done, who does it and why. Also intends to show all young people who actively participate in these activities and seek their integration in a developed society as Serbia.

Here it goes a video about EVS made by and ex-EVS volunteer!

Miguel Graça, EVS Volunteer

Portugal: A country of “Brandos Costumes”

Hello everyone! My name is Miguel Graça and I am from Portugal. I started my EVS project last week in Centar E8 and this looks like it will be my first post in this blog!

After some time to visit Belgrade and a little stroll around town, I start getting to know its inhabitants. The great advantage of knowing the locals is that they offer you a whole new perspective of their culture.

Through a conversation about the activities that take place in Belgrade throughout the year, the theme of the Gay Parade came naturally. I was impressed by the fact that Gay Pride is an event well known in Belgrade, whether for good or bad reasons. The Gay Pride is an event that has existed for 12 years in Portugal and has always occurred peacefully among the Portuguese. It is the public demonstration of an opinion of a group of citizens.

My surprise is that the Gay Pride in Belgrade became a battlefield and the gap between different groups. The truth is that the Gay Pride is no more than the demonstration of tolerance, respect and openness of a society for the changes that have occurred there over the past years.

In Portugal is a respected and highly acclaimed event at social and political level, since it is an event that demonstrates how people achieve respect for the difference between its citizens. Respect for others, for difference and progress is a feeling common to all Portuguese. The feeling of respect for the choices and the path of the others are quite stark within the mentality of the Portuguese society. Whenever we are confronted with something different stands the will to know the difference, know it and offer the opportunity to be integrated and dialogue within the space of friendship and knowledge. The difference is just knowing the other's perspective and we can progress to a more just society, open and modern. Gay Pride in Portugal is looking for that. Justice, respect and friendship of all those who respect their differences and accept multiculturalism as part of a modern and developed society. Equality, Solidarity, Freedom!

P.S: Here it goes some videos about the Portuguese Gay Pride in Lisbon at 18th of June 2011